Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Redskins Nation is a half-hour show devoted to giving fans unfiltered access to the day's events at Redskins Park. Hosted by Larry Michael, the show features Redskins players, coaches and sit-down interviews with team officials. (Show re-airs at 11:30 p.m/7:30 a.m. daily)

Ben Kotwica was named as the Redskins’ special teams coordinator on January 15, 2014.

Kotwica is entering his ninth NFL season and his second with the Redskins in 2015 after spending the first seven years of his NFL career in various coaching capacities with the New York Jets. Before assuming the role of coordinator for the Jets in 2013, Kotwica assisted with the Jets’ special teams in multiple roles across the 2007-12 seasons.

Ben Kotwica was named as the Redskins’ special teams coordinator on January 15, 2014.

Kotwica is entering his ninth NFL season and his second with the Redskins in 2015 after spending the first seven years of his NFL career in various coaching capacities with the New York Jets. Before assuming the role of coordinator for the Jets in 2013, Kotwica assisted with the Jets’ special teams in multiple roles across the 2007-12 seasons.

In his first season in Washington in 2014, Kotwica’s tutelage and eye for talent helped first-year punter Tress Way (47.5 yards per punt) become the first member of the Redskins to lead the NFL in punting for a season since Sam Baker in 1958. Way’s average ranked fourth in team history, a feat he accomplished in a season in which he was given 10 days to earn the punting job after being claimed off waivers late in the preseason. Kotwica also helped kicker Kai Forbath successfully convert 24-of-27 field goals (88.9 percent) in 2014, the third-highest percentage in a single season in franchise history.

Prior to Kotwica’s arrival in Washington, the Jets accounted for 10 combined kick and punt return touchdowns during his time as an assistant in New York, tied for most in the AFC and tied for second-most in the NFL. The Jets averaged a league-best 24.6 yards per kick return in those six seasons and had a kick returner finish in the Top 5 in the NFL in kick return four times (Joe McKnight, 2012; Joe McKnight, 2011; Brad Smith, 2010; and Leon Washington, 2007). Kotwica helped Leon Washington earn his first career Pro Bowl berth as a kick returner following the 2008 season.

In addition to his football career, Kotwica’s background includes his time as a decorated officer who spent eight years in the United States Army after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point. His military career included operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Korea and Iraq.

Kotwica was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Aviation Branch of the Army and was selected to fly the AH-64 Apache Longbow, the world’s best attack helicopter. He was an Attack Helicopter Platoon Leader in support of the 82nd Airborne Division from 1998-2001, where he was responsible for the health and welfare of 20 soldiers.

In 2000, Kotwica deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina for eight months before returning to the states to attend the Aviation Captain Career course. He completed the course in the top 10 percent of his class. Two years later, he returned overseas to Camp Page, Korea where he served as a Military Intelligence Officer for six months. In early 2003, he was selected to serve as the Battalion Executive Officer for a unit comprised of more than 300 soldiers, 24 attack helicopters and more than $400 million worth of equipment.

In January 2004, he briefly returned to Fort Hood, Texas to serve as the Training Officer for the 1st Calvary Division. Two months later, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, serving as a Combat Attack Helicopter Commander and flying more than 1,000 combat hours in support of five maneuver Brigades within the 1st Calvary Division. His missions included convoy security operations; VIP escorts for former President George W. Bush, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; and search and destroy missions to suppress insurgent activities.

During his service, Kotwica was awarded with the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Bronze Star.

Kotwica played at Army from 1993-96 and was a three-year starter at linebacker. He was the captain of the only 10-win team in Army history, leading the Black Knights to a 10-2 record and the program’s most recent Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in 1996.

Kotwica and his wife, Christina, have four children: daughters, Analyssa and Arianna, and sons, Christian and Brayden.

Redskins.com's Andrew Walker shares his 4 Keys to the Game, presented by Papa John's Pizza, as the Washington Redskins prepare to host the Jacksonville Jaguars in their home opener at FedExField on Sunday.